A pure and simple love!

Little Girl Wounded

An abused child carries a forever wound ...

Profile Thoughts

I have a thought I would like to put out there, and would love your opinions ...

I constantly come across poems in reviewing other's work, in which the syllables are all very neatly even throughout ... but still the poem does not flow. From my years of leading choirs, and teaching the art of music, I have learned that it is the internal beat that one must find, not the strict syllable count.

The stressed beat is very different than just counting ... you can actually put two syllables or even two words, on one beat ... i.e. "One day, when skies were blue" has 3 beats, but six syllables, whereas "Girls are very smart" still has 3 beats, but only five syllables.

In the first sentence, "one day" has just one beat ... the same as "girls" in the second sentence.

So, my suspicion is that sometimes writers are counting syllables and ignoring beats. The beat is the important thing! Even in free verse there is a dance like beat .. but it is modern dance and therefor doesn't follow any rules!

Another interesting observation ... in a four line stanza, each odd numbered line has a silent beat at the end of it, which must be taken into account if one wants to keep the dance-like quality. Same with much choral music!

Of course, all of this is just my humble opinion, based on years of teaching the arts.

September 6, 2017 at 4:24PM

DR DIP: AMEN! so glad you brought this up stuff the anal poet nazis the syllabic count police and the meter detectives lol

I am new to this site and am thoroughly enjoying it. What fun to read all of the varied writing available here!

I have also had fun reviewing some of the writings, but am taken aback that there is sometimes such anger at what is perceived as a rating that is unfair.

Someone, in reply to my four-star rating of their poem, told me they never gave anything less than five-stars. I was shocked to hear this, and suddenly the five-star ratings I had gotten meant nothing. I don't want a gift of five stars, I want to earn it!

Someone else got very hostile over a three-star review, and then said, "Well, I have lots of five-star ratings, so obviously you are wrong!" No matter how many five star ratings this author received, my opinion is still not wrong! It is only my opinion ... if you don't agree, ignore it.

So, I am enjoying the poems and stories, but wonder if we are helping each other to improve if we are not willing to give an honest rating. Even a poorly rated writing often has many wonderful things to comment upon ... and that is what the review is for ... but shouldn't five stars be reserved for the best of the best? And shouldn't we all be striving to give our best?!

Just my thoughts. Blessings to all, Analie

August 10, 2017 at 4:24PM

Mustangpatty1029: Unfortunately, there is a great discrepancy between the star system and reality. Too many writers are so used to receiving all five's, so they expect them. However, there are many writers who welcome constructive criticism - it IS the reason we are here; to grow in our craft.

August 10, 2017 at 5:56PM

frogbook: It has become an insult to receive less than a 5 here on the site so you will hear this a lot, though I myself like to learn from reviews also. I do suggest that if you give less than a 5 you say the good AND BAD things because on the real rating system you are saying the story needs improvement in some way. I agree with learning from the ratings, but note that you will likely seldom get below a 5. Have fun writing. It's a nice site.

August 10, 2017 at 7:02PM

Irish Rain: I appreciate the honest ratings I receive, they are very helpful. But I have received 4 stars, simply because the piece didn't 'resonate' with them, or they simply didn't agree, approve, or like it. Less than 5 stars means the poem needs work. I would appreciate these reviews pointing out the flaws, mistakes. Whenever I point this out to them...I never hear from them again. I don't believe any serious writer objects to a low rating, as long as the reasons are clarified, and not personal opinions. Really, if I simply 'don't like' a work....I skip it.

August 10, 2017 at 9:26PM

Irish Rain: Actually, I just re-read what I wrote. It sounds sort of 'snippy', which is not how I meant it, or who I am. FanStory is a wonderful site, welcome Miss Analie!!

August 10, 2017 at 9:43PM

FxstsLisa : Irish Rain, I don't think your post sounds "snippy" at all (for what it's worth). I think anyone who doesn't appreciate the "constructive criticism" is not a serious writer. But, when you get a rating just because they don't like it, it is not helpful at all. I've had people criticize "my life" that I've written about. Sorry, I can't change my past so if you don't like it then #!#!!

August 12, 2017 at 3:18PM

Meia (MESAYERS): I got a three the other day and I won the competition, so it's not the end of the world. I quite often get fours and a couple of times threes....If it's a four or three I am not angry but do require an explanation as to what might be improved. Welcome to the site!Sixes are rare and we only get six on a Sunday so a lot of people save their best work till then I could not be bothered doing that. I save my sixes to use wisely. Sometimes wish I had a few more though!xx

August 15, 2017 at 6:32PM

ABOUT

Location

Apple Hill CA.

Gender

Female

Member

Premier Author

Joined

August 2017

Interests

Music, Acting, Painting, Dance

I have spent many years leading wonderful, award-winning choirs, and directing stage productions for my own community theater. So many lovely people have graced my life, including my dear husband, four children and now five precious grandbabies. I am blessed!
Writing has been a life-long love! In this season of my life I have decided to leave (mostly) the busy world of producing, enjoy my beautiful, cozy cottage in the forest ... and write and paint. I am reinventing my life and loving it!
I am thrilled to have found this website and to be a part of this community.
I am actually the author of a newly-published, critically acclaimed memoir - Mending the Shattered Mirror. Recently, I traveled to Paris, by myself, to accept an award for my book from the Paris Book Festival competion! What an adventure ...